Ground Cover Zones

Ground cover zones
indicating what region a specific plant is recommended for. Each plant is sold with a tag that recommends a specific planting zone/region. Suppliers and growers provide these tags based on a map developed by the USDA as an approximation on where a plant will thrive. The map is based on average high and low temperatures. Things like prevailing winds and elevation can alter those approximations to some degree.

As growers continue to breed and cross-breed plants, the zones can change for the better. 20 years ago it was difficult to grow Rose Tree of Sharon's in my region but now with the improved varieties they are easily grown and very common.

Below is a map and chart showing the specific zones and regions along with a list of ground covers and how they relate to those zones.

COMMON NAME GROUND COVERS AND ZONES:

ZONE 2 THRU 8 - Meriterranean Pinks

ZONE 2 THRU 9 - Candy Stripe Phlox

ZONE 3 THRU 10 - Day Lily

ZONE 4 THRU 8 - Irish Moss

ZONE 4 THRU 9 - Creeping Sedum, Pachysandra, Periwinkle, Walk-On-Me

ZONE 4 THRU 10 - Beacon Silver Lamium

ZONE 5 THRU 9 - Starburst Ice Plant, Yellow Ice Plant

If you are near the border of a region than you can also consider plants one region away provided the plants are well prepped for winter. Remember this is a guide based on averages and it can change along with weather patterns.

These ground cover zone maps are a great way to get started on your selection process. They tell you which plants to remove from your list and help narrow down the choices.